The hard-working staff at Bishop Auckland’s thriving independent bike shop, Inspiral Cycles, are in line for another national award.
The cycling industry BikeBiz Awards recognise the very best talent from across the UK’s cycling scene and Inspiral Cycles is shortlisted for the best independent bike dealer of the year. Cycling professionals, customers and other local businesses alike can vote to say why they value the County Durham high street bike shop.
Husband and wife team, Gary and Fiona Ewing, opened Inspiral Cycles on Bishop Auckland’s Newgate Street in 2015, pursuing a lifelong passion for all kinds of cycling from leisure rides to competitions.
Offering service and repair of all bikes, and a huge range of new bicycles for sale – including increasingly popular electric bikes – the challenges of the high street have not escaped the business.
However, after several expansions, the business now provides a “hidden gem”, as customers have described them, where everyone can visit for first rate advice, product knowledge and after-sales service.
Last year, Inspiral Cycles occupied the neighbouring vacant high street premises, to build a service centre where they can repair even more bikes, catering for the spike in demand for outdoor activities since the pandemic.
The extra space allowed them to expand their expert, friendly team to six qualified bike mechanics, trained to Cytech level 3, which is the highest attainable qualification in professional cycle maintenance in the UK.
The future of modern high streets must be independent led, with service and experience at their hearts. Inspiral Cycles are a testament to that ethos, with first rate knowledge, quality service and repair and hand-picked products which their staff pride themselves on sharing with the cycle enthusiast and beginner alike.
To celebrate their journey, this autumn they are offering discounts on some of their new bikes, specialist outdoor clothing and cycling accessories.
Visit online or drop into the shop for more details and you can leave your vote for Inspiral Cycles at the BikeBiz awards by completing the online form by Friday 7th October.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
